Bearclaw Valley you're not to stop me, whatever happens

a shame! a pity! merrick watched with a true reluctance as his would-be playmate backed off, and then turned to hightail it out of the valley. he frowned, blinking in surprise: usually his serpentwork did well. but not today. "not today, bear," the boy murmured his thought aloud.
"ah well. he wasn't for us," and he grinned with an unhinged air at absolutely nothing in the empty snow around him, before ambling away at a leisurely pace in search of his raven.